Periodontal Disease - Treatment

Treatment

Periodontal treatment may include a variety of techniques ranging from plaque removal to oral surgery. Early periodontal disease, when the beginnings of gum recession are seen, is treated by nonsurgical deep cleaning around the teeth below the gums. This procedure, called scaling and root planing , removes tartar and bacteria from tooth surfaces. As a result, the surfaces of the teeth become smoother both above and below the gum line, making it difficult for bacteria to attach themselves to the tooth.

In advanced periodontal disease dentists need to perform a surgical procedure, such as flap surgery or a gum tissue graft. Flap surgery involves pulling back gum tissue and cleaning both the infected side of the root and the bottom of the periodontal pocket. Then the flap is sutured back in place. Gum tissue grafts involve surgically removing a small piece of healthy gum tissue from the mouth, transferring it to receded gum tissue, and suturing it in place.

Guided tissue regeneration is another surgical treatment. It is a technique for regenerating periodontal ligament and bone. A mesh-like barrier is placed around the tooth root. The barrier keeps the gum tissue away from underlying ligaments and bone and leaves space for the ligaments and bones to grow.

After periodontal treatment, the patient should visit the dentist for a professional teeth cleaning every three or four months to maintain good oral health.